The NextWomen is running a series of stories of  women in tech, explaining what inspired them to work in the industry. The baton was passed to High-tech marketing executive Wendy White, Marketing Director at Microsoft in Seattle.

I’ve always been able to understand or imagine the power of software to change our lives – and change the world.

Who inspired you to get into TECH?

I’m fortunate to have had great exposure to – and access to - technology early in life. When I was very young, my mother was an executive at Control Data. I remember being excited to go to work with her on a Saturday morning and seeing –and hearing --computers that took up most of a room. As kids, my brothers and I successfully lobbied our parents for home computers (including eventually the first Apple computers) which we used for everything from writing simple programs to “chatting” on dial-up bulletin boards. An eventual career in tech was a natural extension of that early curiosity.

How were you educated in TECH?

My first job out of college was with a small systems integrator – I did everything from tech support to training development to answering phones. Not terribly glamorous, but serious on the job experience that gave me great confidence in understanding how to apply technology to solving real world business problems. After grad school, I spent more than 10 years at Intel during a time of significant growth and fast change in the tech industry. A passion for technology combined with a passion for excellence meant great opportunities. I was also lucky enough at every stage of my career to have great women mentors and role models.

How is your experience in the TECH world? What roles?

I’ve always been able to understand or imagine the power of software to change our lives – and change the world. I’ve used the art of storytelling to translate technical concepts into human stories that communicate the magical potential of technology—to transform a business’ bottom line or a country’s developing economy. I’m privileged to have been involved in many waves of innovation, at Intel when the Pentium processor launched the graphical interface, and at Motorola as advances in mobile technologies began to bring communications to the next billion people. I’ve had marketing roles in everything from product marketing, to corporate communications, to partner marketing – and most recently leading marketing for the R&D and new market development teams at Motorola. Today I’m excited to be at Microsoft as it carries forth the vision of empowering people through software. I can’t wait for what comes next and to find my role in it!

Advice to those considering careers in TECH?

Like the pursuit of any career, my best advice is to experiment with different roles to understand where your passion lies and where you skills best fit. Be engaged, experiment with technology network, and seek out mentors.